Seven former Elmira Pioneers picked in MLB draft

Elmira Pioneers manager Matt Burch discusses returning for third stint as manager, history of the team during Media Day on May 31 at Dunn Field.
Andrew Legare, alegare@stargazette.com | @SGAndrewLegare

Sean Hjelle delivers a pitch for the University of Kentucky in 2017.(Photo: David R. Lutman, Special to The Courier-Journal)

Seven former members of the Elmira Pioneers were selected in this week's Major League Baseball first-year player draft, the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League team announced.

Former Elmira players chosen included three players from the University of Kentucky: Sean Hjelle (with the Pioneers in 2016), Justin Lewis (2015) and Troy Squires (2015). Kentucky had 13 players drafted overall, the most of any college program.

Hjelle, a 6-foot-11 right-handed pitcher, was picked the highest, going to the San Francisco Giants in the second round with the 45th overall selection. He posted a 7-5 record with a 3.44 ERA this season, striking out 91 batters in 87 innings.

Lewis, another right-handed pitcher, went in the 12th round to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 6-foot-7 Lewis was 7-3 with a 4.33 ERA this season. He struck out 92 in 72⅔ innings.

Squires, a catcher, was picked in the 23rd round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He batted .267 this year with five homers and 25 RBIs.

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Troy Dixon, shown running the bases for Elmira against Oneonta in 2016, also played for the Pioneers last year.(Photo: ANDREW LEGARE / Staff Photo)

Dixon, an outfielder, was picked in the 24th round by the Texas Rangers. He batted .289 this season with two homers, 42 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.

The Rangers also drafted Smith, a left-handed pitcher who went in the 25th round. He made eight appearances this season for Grand Valley, posting a 2-1 record with a 1.12 ERA. Opponents batted just .129 off him.

Grammes, an infielder, was picked by the Baltimore Orioles in the 35th round. Grammes batted .330 with 10 homers this season for Xavier. He also pitched in 18 games, striking out 45 batters in 28 innings.

Caracci went to the Blue Jays in the 37th round. The relief pitcher posted a 5-2 record with a 2.25 ERA this season for Ole Miss, earning second-team All-America honors from Baseball America. He helped the Rebels win the Southeastern Conference tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

During his season with Elmira, Caracci posted a 0.78 ERA, striking out 37 in 23 innings.

Pioneers home Saturday

Elmira returns home for a 7:05 p.m. game Saturday against the Newark Pilots at Dunn Field.

The Pioneers are 1-3 through four games, with that lone win coming by a 12-3 score against the Jamestown Jammers on June 2 in what became Elmira's home opener after its first scheduled game was rained out. Elmira drew an announced crowd of 4,341 fans against Jamestown.